Ditching-machine



'ence being had therein to the UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL LEFFLER, or AINSWOBTH, IOWA.

DITCHING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of- Letters Patent No. 269,946, dated January 2, 1853.

Application filed October 5, 1882. (No model.) 7

To altwhom it may concern:

Be it known that LSAMUEL LEFFLER, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Ainsworth, in the county of Washington and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ditching-Machines, of which the following is a specification, referaccompanying drawings.

My invention relates to certain improvements in ditching plows or machines, as hereinafter described, and specifically set forth in the claim. I

Figure l is a perspective of a plow constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on the line as as of Fig. 1that is, on a line passing below the plow-beam, the wheels being removed.

Like letters refer to like parts in all the figures.

A represents the main beam, which it slotted vertically at its front end and apertured transversely, so that a clevis, B, and a pivoted post, G, are both secured by a single bolt, D, by which construction the post is allowed to oscillate in one direction only, and its connection, together with that of the clevis, in no wise weakens the beam. In rear of the clevis, and slightly in rear of that point on the beam through which a line drawn vertically from the point of the plow proper would pass, the beam is grooved at each side, as shown at a, for the reception of a rectangular frame, A, which is provided with truunions, on which the wheels E rotale. By this construction the beam is always, whether the plow be raised or depressed, more or less pivotally supported, so that the operator can with slight exertion determine the depth of out which itshall make. At the top of the frame A is secured pivotally and centrally a lever, F, the forward end, f, of which is adjustably secured to the post 0, and the rear end, f, of which passes through a slotted post, 0, securely fastened to the beam A, and provided with means for adjustably holding the lever in desired positions. The handles G are secured to the beam and to the upper ends of two pairs of side cutters, H and H, which are mortised into the sides of the beam at h to give additional strength, said mortises, from the bottom to the topof the beam, being flared outwardly and upwardly, so that the walls of the ditch shall also flare or spread. I

I represents the plow proper; and it consists ofaplate ofsuitable metal, either wrought or cast,and having the forward V-point, t, the

fiat bottom 2', and the side flanges, t the latter being extended for a short distance up the side knives or cutters, H H, as shown. The

flanges i at the front are gradually declined,

the latter being extended to the rear and connected to the delivery-chute J, which, by means of the braces h, is iurther strengthened at its rear end, while its front end is secured to the plow atj, and it is gradually'curved longitudinally and slanted or curved laterally from the pointj to its rear end.

By the construction thus set forth the entire machine is adapted to do heavy work with the least possible exertion of the teamor the operator, because of the perfect control of the depth of cut, as heretofore mentioned, and by reason of the advantageous operation of all the parts- By means of the lever F the plow is raised or lowered bodily, its weight being supported at the front entirely by the wheels, thereby reducing the labor of the team and economizing their strength for the actual work of ditching.

Having set the plow to cut the desired depth, the pointi may be slightly elevated and depressed by means of the handles, so that ohstructions may be passed over or workedloose and removed with the soil. The side cutters act to divide the soil to define the walllines of the ditch, and then to compress the soil by means of their inner rounded faces and their back edges, which are square or thick. The soil now loosened is gradually raised by the delivery-chute and guided to the surface of the ground at one side of the ditch.

By inwardly compressing the soil the labor involved is greatly reduced, as nothing remains for the machine to do after the side outters have separated the soil but to carry it up IOO The combination of the plow I, havinethe V-point 'i and flanges F, with the side cutters, H H, having flat outer and rounded inner faces and front cutting-edges, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereofI affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

SAMUEL LEFFLER.

and out of the chute, which operation, without first compressing the soil, would necessitate overcoming the friction of said separated soil against the walls of the ditch. My machine therefore possesses advantages in construction and operation which render it possible to meet the requirements of heavy work with less expense of motive power.

Having described my invention audits op- Witnesses: eration, what I claim as new, and desire to se- T. Y. WIGKHAM,

GEO. BLEEG.

cure by Letters Patent, is 

